I don’t care what anybody says, when you’re on holiday in the sunshine, nothing screams ‘summertime’ quite like a trip to an amusement park.
Now, I realise all too well that amusement parks are not necessarily weather-dependent, and we certainly have some awesome theme parks here in the UK that are great fun whatever the weather, but there’s something about a theme park in the summer that just can’t be beaten.
If you’re a coaster enthusiast and are looking for fun and exciting ideas of where to visit to get your coaster fix, may I be so bold as to recommend the USA?
The USA is home to some of the world’s most famous theme parks, not to mention a number of the world’s most popular rollercoasters and attractions that see holidaymakers and coaster enthusiasts alike, flock to from all over the globe every single year.
If you like coasters and want to try somewhere different, the United States of America is simply a must.
Here are se7en of the most exciting theme parks in the USA.
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
First on my list for you today I have Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia.
When people think of US theme parks, there’s one state that instantly springs to mind, and that’s Florida. Now, don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of Florida-based theme parks for you today, but first off, let’s take a trip to Virginia.
Busch Gardens is one of the most popular theme parks on the planet, and it is also one of the most educational. This is because it is themed after nine unique European cities, with each one offering its own attractions, rides, styles, and even food.
Whether you want to visit the streets of Paris or take a wander through the hamlets of Edinburgh, Scotland, Busch Gardens has you covered.
It is also home to a number of famous roller coasters, including Alpengeist and highly anticipated Pantheon.
Hershey Park
Who reading this enjoys chocolate? Silly question I know, as surely everybody loves chocolate.
Hershey Park is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Now, fun fact, Hershey is a community that was founded by Milton. S Hershey, a chocolate magnate who built the township for the workers at his candy factory, along with their families.
Because of its links to Hershey’s chocolate, Hershey Park is now a family-orientated theme park that is home to over 70 unique rides and attractions – many of which are child friendly. Please don’t go making the mistake of assuming that means no thrilling rides can be found here. Just check out the accelerated climb on SkyRush and you’ll believe me.
Best of all is the fact that next door is Hershey’s Chocolate World, which is about as close as you can get to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory in real life.
Magic Kingdom Park at Disney World
Okay, I’m fairly confident that everybody reading this today will be familiar with Disney, and likely will also be familiar with Disney World, Florida.
If so, then allow me to present to you Magic Kingdom Park located at Disney World, Florida.
This sister park, located at Lake Buena Vista, is one of four theme parks located within the vast Disney World in Florida.
As you can guess, this is more of the kid-friendly park, as it is home to some of your favourite characters from classic Disney movies, including Aladdin, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and many more besides.
The star attraction, though, is Space Mountain, which is one of the most popular attractions on the planet.
If you want to cool down, because it is Florida, after all, then why not ascend slowly up a “mountain” before crashing down 50 feet below into a pool of refreshing water on Splash Mountain?
Cedar Point
Cedar Point is my next offering for you today, and what a beauty it is.
Cedar Point is located in Ohio, and, is affectionately known as ‘America’s Roller Coast’.
As you can guess by the name, Cedar Point is very much a rollercoaster-orientated theme park and it also happens to be the most adrenaline-fuelled theme park on my list so far today.
Cedar Point is home to more than 70 rides, including Millennium Force, a steel coaster opened in 2000 and still as popular as ever. It was also, at one point, the fastest coaster in the world.
For those wondering, the fastest coaster is now located in the aptly named Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi and is known as Formula Rossa.
Universal Studios
Next up, we’re heading back to the sunshine of Florida, to visit Universal Studios.
This theme park is simply a must for anybody with even the slightest interest in film and TV.
It is home to live shows, rollercoasters, immersive experiences, and numerous other attractions based around some of your most popular movies and characters from movie culture.
Right now, Universal Studios is more popular than ever, thanks to the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, which is themed around, well, you know, right? Harry Potter, of course!
Despicable Me – Minion Mountain, is simply a must for fans of Minions and/or Despicable Me as well.
Epcot
Sticking in Florida, we have Epcot up next.
If you’re a fan of science, international culture, and technological innovation, then Epcot is for you.
Located on Lake Buena Vista, and being another of the four theme parks located within Disney World, Epcot has two main themed sections: World Showcase, and Future World.
Epcot is unmissable, thanks to its giant golf ball-shaped Spaceship Earth, which is the landmark for the park itself.
Epcot is great because it is educational as, for example, its World Showcase section is home to 11 sections, each one representing different cultures and cuisines from all over the globe.
Future World, however, is more science and technology-based as here visitors can experience what it’s like to be in space, along with what it’s like to drive a racing car thanks to various simulators.
Castles N’ Coasters
As you can see from my list today, Florida is very much the star of the show when it comes to world-famous theme parks, yet there are plenty of other awesome parks in other states of the US, including Arizona.
Castles N’ Coasters is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and is home to some of the hottest, pardon the pun, coasters in the country.
The most popular ride is probably Desert Storm, which features vertical drops, loops, twists, bends, shakes, and a whole lot more besides.
If you want something a little more chilled, there are also crazy golf courses, a go-kart track, and much more besides.
Oh, and when you’re hungry, you can build yourself a taco, and follow that up by a delicious ice cream. Yum!
If this article scratched an itch, you might want to check Se7en of the Most Exciting Theme Parks in the UK.
Until the parks will safe for visiting again, stay safe, stay curious, and don’t stop wandering!
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